TLDR Summary Meal decisions are a core part of person centered planning. HCBS compliance requires daily choice in foods, timing, and setting. Meal restrictions must be documented and reviewed. DSPs must record choices and supports in simple, clear notes. Providers should use tools that make meal choice easy and safe. Person Centered Meal Planning for HCBS and Group Home Providers Person centered choice is a required part of HCBS compliance. Meals are one of the clearest ways

Empowering Individual Choice in HCBS: Compliance and Practice Individual choice is not only a value. It is a federal requirement for Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS). The CMS HCBS Final Rule (2014) established that people receiving Medicaid-funded services must have real control over where they live, who supports them, and how they spend their time (CMS, 2014). For providers, the challenge is turning that principle into daily practice while maintaining compliance. Wha

Why verifying credentials and competency matters before you hire Beyond licenses: knowing who you are trusting with your program In healthcare and human services, “qualified” is not just about credentials. It is about competency, fit, and ethics. Directors and consultants often make decisions that directly affect care quality, billing accuracy, and compliance outcomes. A polished résumé or familiar name is not proof of integrity or skill. CMS and OIG have made clear that over

Finding Stability When Systems Shift Across the country, home and community-based service (HCBS) providers are quietly carrying the tension between compassion and compliance. Federal conversations around Medicaid budget adjustments and the potential rollback of ARPA-funded workforce incentives have many wondering if their margins or their staff can hold. Yet amid all the noise, one truth still anchors the field: quality care and stable staffing don’t depend on certainty, th

Delve into the world of Medicaid waivers and explore the various programs that exist to support individuals with developmental disabilities.